• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.173-198
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• 2018

In this paper, we analyze the determinants of the adoption of industrial robots using the data from 42 countries, and thereby examine the factors underlying the rapid expansion of industrial robots in Korea. To this end, the industrial robot data for the years 2001-2016 were drawn from the World Robotics dataset of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). The explanatory variables included labor market environment variables and innovation capacity variables extracted from the dataset of the relevant international organizations. For data analysis, the Arellano-Bond dynamic panel analysis was performed to control for the endogeneity problem of some explanatory variables. The empirical results confirmed the exceptionally rapid expansion of industrial robots in Korea as compared to other countries, even when considering the national income level, employment cost, and innovation capacity. This phenomenon could be attributed to both the demand-side and supply-side factors. For one thing, changes in the labor market environment, such as an increase in employment costs, have led to an increase of the corporate demand for industrial robots. For another, the supply-side factors, such as an increase in the capital intensity and innovation capacity of companies, have also contributed to the widespread adoption of industrial robots.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.203-226
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• 2010

Using the Korean Welfare Panel Study, this study examines the labor-market activities of uninsured persons and discusses policy implications for reforming the National Pension Scheme in Korea. First, despite the short observation period, the data show that pension status is not a static state and can be better understood in terms of dynamic processes. Second, in addition to frequent changes in income-earning activities, complex criteria for pension coverage cause substantial transitions in pension status. Third, a portion of uninsured persons involve in income-earning activities but they tend to face poor working conditions as well as unstable employment. Overall, this study suggests that building solid foundations for developing a financially sustainable and reliable social protection system is more important than rapid increase in pension coverage.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.113-150
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• 2006

This study examines how labor unions change in the 21st centry and what is needed for successful transformation of Korean labor union. The study identifies four major driving forces of change in union's role. They are changes in industrial and occupational structures, utilization of information technology, labor substitution, and changing attitude of workers. The effects are decrease in union membership, shrinking coverage of bargaining, weakening voice mechanism, and representation. Thus, labor unions in the 21st centry transform themselves into service union, individual representation system, and worker participation model. Korean labor union, with its current reputation of militant unionism, needs to transform into above mentioned model. Two keys for the change are market competition and family unionism.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.1-29
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• 2019

This study estimates how changes in the female (aged 25 to 54) labor force participation rate (LFPR) following the historical experiences of the US and Japan would alter the future trend of the female economically active population by 2065, compared to the case in which the LFPR as of 2018 will remain unchanged. According to the results, the female labor force aged 25 to 54 will increase by 14% (about 797,000) and 15% (about 831,000), respectively, by 2042 if the female LFPR should change following the past trends of the US and Japan. In particular, the increase in the labor force is expected to be pronounced among females aged 30 to 44 who currently suffer high rates of job severance. The results of this study strengthen the prediction that the on-going population changes will not reduce much the overall economically active population in the near future. The result of a simulation based on the historical experiences of Japan suggests that, as least in the near future, policy efforts to encourage female labor supply will be more effective in alleviating the potential labor-market impacts of population changes, compared to policies aiming at increasing old-age employment.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.107-137
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• 1996

Under-utilization of Korean women's education in the labor market has been observed and pointed out as a waste of valuable human resources. Although education provides women with positive returns when they work, it has been found that Korean women's education is not much related to the likelihood of women's labor force participation. This tendency cannot be explained by micro-economic theory, which says that educated women are more likely to participate in the labor force. Thus, in this analysis, a macro-level explanation is attempted to understand Korean women's economic behaviors in relation to education. Korea's rapid industrialization since 1960 has provided ample job opportunities mostly for less educated women. On the other hand, increasing demand for educated female labor has been moderate. Various restriction against women, especially married women, have prevailed in the Korean labor market. Restrictions against women and the marriage bar tend to be selectively applied to decent white-collar jobs, mostly affecting educated women. Furthermore, there has been no shortage of educated male labor due to its adequate supply. Since Korean women spend most of their adult lives in marriage, married women's low participation in the labor force is a critical factor for the low economic returns to women's education throughout their lifetime. Restriction against married women in the labor market also existed in the past of the United States and the Great Britain. However, along with the expansion of the service sector, married women in great numbers flowed into non-manual jobs. The post-1940 increase of married women in the labor force in those countries can be understood to be a result of a labor shortage for non-manual jobs. Also in Taiwan, which shares many common cultural and economic backgrounds with Korea, the marriage bar has been in decline since the late 1970s, along with an increasing demand for female labor in the service sector. In sum, the changes in the demand structure and the supply of educated male labor force will contribute to the lift of the marrige bar in Korea.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.47-88
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• 2010

Focusing on the Korean experience, particularly a recent amendment which extends maternity leave and increases financial benefits during maternity and childcare leave, this paper evaluates how such an expansion of benefits affects the employment and the hourly wages of young wages of childbearing age. Empirical results from a difference--in-difference-in-differences model having older warren, older men, and young men simultaneously as the control group suggest that neither the employment nor the hourly wages of young women are affected. This implies that the law change does not cause shifts in the labor supply curve and the labor demand curve for young women.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.437-458
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• 2008

In these days the global software market is experiencing diastrophism due to globalization, convergence, and the spread of web 2.0. In particular, today"s global economy has entered the so-called "Globalization 3.0" era, and the world is evolving into a flat world where labor, capital, and resources are moving freely. In this rapidly changing global economy, the growth of the Korean economy is in a state of continuous decline. Particularly software industry is also suffering continuously slow growth due to market saturation and low service earning, which require urgent countermeasures. Therefore, the purpose of this study is: 1) to analyze the current industrial condition of the software industry, which have special characteristics differ from manufacturing industry; and 2) to analyze the major obstacles of local companies working in the software industry in order to cope with the recent changes in the global market environment and 3) to draw out the strategy for the domestic software industry in gangwon province in order to promote local software industry and to achieve globalization.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.183-188
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• 2018

This paper examines career self-help advice in light of its influence on white-collar job searching in the US. After a brief overview of the white-collar labor market changes in the past few decades and the rise of the career self-help industry in America, it focuses on career self-help advice concerning a resume and networking that involves the use of information communication technology (ICT) through the review of career self-help manuals and other related literature. Finally, it looks at some of its major limits, especially the problem of presenting job searching in terms of individual efforts without regard to its structural aspects and its implications - individual responsibility for job searching and its outcomes - along with a suggestion for the type of help that can be offered to job seekers.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.23-37
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• 2022

Purpose: The Korean franchise market has undergone drastic growth in recent years. Followed by expansion of franchise business types, relevant legal matters have diversified. Compared to conventional economic laws that focused on resolving problems related to unfair transactions between franchisors and franchisees, more diverse labor laws have emerged recently due to governance and economic dependencies of franchise structure. However, it was found that the business environment of franchisees and working conditions of franchisee employees have not changed accordingly due to the unique structure of franchise business. Though franchisees are entrepreneurs independent from franchisors, they are still under franchising contract with the franchisors. For instance, employees of franchisees have been exposed to malpractices in regard to pay, time, and other working conditions. These malpractices may show the ineffectiveness of current labor laws. Labor management is an important issue for sustainability of franchise businesses. Negative publicity of franchises generated from violating relevant labor laws may have significant negative impact on overall image of franchised brands. However, franchisors should not hold franchisees fully responsible for legal violations in terms of labor management but strive to prevent relevant risks. Thus, the recent amendment in labor law related to increased minimum wage and reduced worktime have called for more attention to effectively implementing the law. Research design, data, and methodology: This study was conducted through a review of franchise-related laws and various institutions and policies. Results: It is further needed for all parties, including franchisors, franchisees, and franchisee employees, to take collaborative actions to improve working conditions of franchisees. Therefore, this study aims to propose appropriate and effective response plans toward recent changes in the Minimum Wage Act, while strengthening sustainability of franchisors, franchisees, and their employees. Conclusions: The proposal mainly contains plans regarding profit-related aids and profit sharing/cost reduction strategies for franchisees, as well as collective bargaining in the franchisor-franchisee relation. More detailed suggestions are included. Conclusions: This proposal may help franchisors and policymakers develop business plans and policies in improving business conditions of franchisees and working conditions of franchisee employees.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.54
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• pp.321-345
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• 2003

Aggregate income stability depends heavily on labor market institutions that stabilize or de-stabilize earnings. But, with the expansion of sate welfare programmes, public income transfers are also important sources of income stability for individual and families. Moreover, income stability is determinant factor of individual and family well being, there are another strategies of income stability in society. Family-based and community-based strategies are particularly important. Accordingly, the distribution of income stability in a given society depends on such institutional arrangements as market, family, state, and community. The purpose of this study is to analyse the income stabilizing role of family, state, and community. I found that stabilizing effect of the family and community was very strong in Korea. When institutional features of labor market and the state leave individuals exposed to market risk, they may be respond by relying more on family-based or community-based strategies of income stabilization. But, I can't deny the possibility of an inadequacy of these strategies in according to the rapid changes of family structures and informal networks. Therefore, state-based strategies of income stabilization should be more strengthened in Korea.